Good Portrait lens?? Noob~

Looking for a good portraits lens. I'm considering the Canon 85mm 1.8 am i going in the right direction here or should I go for something with more macro. budget is about 500 or less. Thx!

the best portrait lens to get started with. 50mm f1.8. it's under $100 and get's you started with one of the most popular portrait lenses available.

Look around on the forum. You'll find amazing work from that cheap little lens.

85 will feel cramped inside the house. You'll be backing against the wall to get subject in frame.

If you just want to spend more money (in the beginning) then I would suggest 50mm f1.4, or sigma 30mm f1.4

I guess i should note that i have a canon 50mm 1.4 and was just wondering where to go from there thx!

speedyy17 wrote in post #10538312
I guess i should note that i have a canon 50mm 1.4 and was just wondering where to go from there thx!

oops. The canon 135 F2 and the canon 100 f2.8 Macro IS are both amazing at $900 but not 500. lol edit.

The 15mm fisheye is great for portraits.

ha ha my bad for leaving that one out...a fisheye really? Have any samples by chance thats really interesting! ekkk 900$ ha!

I'd go with your gut. 85mm is a focal length that's designed for portraiture.

bkdc wrote in post #10538343
I'd go with your gut. 85mm is a focal length that's designed for portraiture.

Thx boss!

What equipment do you have, in particular, what format body?
Do you want a lens for portraiture, in which case, what style in what setting, or for macro work? There may be an overlap, but there may not.

A fish-eye would not be the go-to lens for portraiture for most people, but it could produce interesting results.

I'm deciding between the 85 1.8 and the 100 2.8 Macro(non IS).

Gear is 50d and 40d. So cropped. Not really into macro stuff but figured it might help in this case. Settings would be using stobes inside.

I always liked 85mm for portrait. I think the 85mm f1.8 is a good choice. On a crop it will feel a bit cramped. But the 85mm will give better bokehn than the 50mm since it's a longer lens and the apertures aren't pentagonal...

all great advice guys does anyone has and portraits shots with the lens by chance?

bkdc wrote in post #10538343
I'd go with your gut. 85mm is a focal length that's designed for portraiture.

On a crop though? That's pushing it. I'm assuming he hasn't splurged on a FF

Ha ha nope just bought my 40d as a back up!